Sheet metal container



June 1942- A. L. MEROLLE 2,286,221

SHEET METAL CONTAINER Filed Oct. 11, 1938 F161 Fla/5 F/a...2.

lo '15 I2 g n4 4 /l FIG. 5

INVENTOR.

$6 I j. i I

BY 72W,

ATTORNEY.

Patented June 16, 1942 "UNITED'STATES PATENT OFFICE SHEET lVlE'IAL CONTAINER Augustus L. Merolle," Brooklyn, N. Y., assignor to Empire Metal Cap Co. Inc., Brooklyn, N. Y., a corporation of NewYork Application October 11, 1938',-Serial No. 234,343

6 Claims.

This invention relates to containers and receptacles, and in particular to a type of container whichis used for keeping moist substances and maintaining them in'their original state for a considerable length of time, so as to prevent them from losing their moisture contents too quickly.

Moist substances, such as paste, cold cream and the like are most generally kept in jars of porcelain or similar material. Since however these jars are fragile as well as heavy, causing breakage and high expenses in cost of shipment, and since moreover such jars are objectionable because their surfaces will not permit lithographic treatments, wherewith to enhance the graceful appearance by ornamental design on the face of the jar, the tendency to introduce metal containers in place of jars, has therefore-made considerable headway.

Metal containers which are to possess the hea insulating characteristics of porcelain jars and the like are required to have a protective shell or housing surrounding thereceptacle and which housing is to be spaced or set off from the wall of the receptacle, so that the air between the latter and the housing may serve as an insulator against changes in temperature.

While containers of this type are sufficiently known to the art, they nevertheless disclose characteristics which :still require further improvements concerning their appearance and especiallyv their process of manufacture.

It is therefore one of the objects of my invention to produce a container of sheet metal of the type described which is built of as few parts as possible; which is simple to manufacture and which is withoutunsightly seams, ridges and the like.

A further object of this invention is to produce a container having the inner vessel or receptacle and the surrounding cap-retaining wall section or housing formed from one sheet of metal.

Another object is to produce this one piece double-walled container by a novel method, wherewith the inner receptacle is pressed out of a former extension of the outer wall section, to be described hereafter.

A further object is to produce on the edge portion of a shortened outer wall section, novel formations adapted forfastening thereto an outer shell or closure element for the purpose of insulating the inner vessel from the outside.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel metal cap for the container and which cap has a double wall and is rigid in construction; r

Other and ancillary objects of the invention will. appear hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawing which illustrates the invention- Fig. 1 is a centralsectional view of a container anditscap;-

Fig. 2 illustrates a sheet metal container, which slightly difiers in form from'that shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows a part of a container like Fig. 1 but with a modification in the joint of the outer shell, the joint being in an incomplete stage;

n Fig; 3A is a fragmentary view showing the joint in completed condition;

Fig. 4, which is similar to Fig. 3, shows a different formation of. this joint in an incomplete stage; Y 1 I Fig. 4A is a fragmentary view showing the joint completed;- I

Fig. 5 shows a modified construction whereby the outer shell is secured to the edge of the outer wall section; V

Fig. 6 illustrates a full outline of a container similar to Fig. 2, but in which the bottom of the outer casing is not integral with the' outer shell;

Figs. 7 to 11 show a series of developments which illustrate a novel method of producing from one sheet of metal a receptacle surrounded by a depending outer wall section;

Fig. l2'shows a central section of a container having a modified construction in which the lower edge of the depending wall section integral with the .inner receptacle engages frictionally with the cylindrical edge of an outer shellor casing;

. Fig. 13 shows in outline a partial view of- Fig. 12 and in which the threaded wall section is not integral with the inner shell or vessel but is secured thereto;

Figs. 14 and 15 show each a modification of the outlines illustrated in either Fig. 3 orFig. 4.

Referring to Fig. 1, the structure shown therein comprises a container to whichis applieda cap. The-structure is circular in plan view and. the container comprises an inner receptacle havinga circular cylindrical wall I with which is integrally formed the bottom 2. Integrally formed and joined to at the top of the side wall 1 ise, reflexed portion 3 bent back about and spaced from the cylindrical wall I. In this reflexed portion may be formed the screw-threads as shown adapted to engage with a screw-threaded closure or cap. g

The extremity of the portion 3 has a fiat por-- tion 4 which at its edge is turned up for engagement with the curledver upper edge "of the outer cylindrical shell or casing 5. The integral portion comprising the cylindrical wall I, bottom 2 and the refiexed portion 3 is formed of sheet metal. This curling of the edge is such as to make a tight and secure fastening. The cylindrical shell 5 is of sheet metal, is spaced from the vertical receptacle wall I. The bottom 6 of the outer casing is of sheet metal and is fitted within the circular wall 5 and secured therein by intercurling the edges of the bottom plate 6 with the lower edge of the cylindrical wall 5.

In thus curling the edges of the bottom 6 and wall 5 together, the bottom 6 is liable to back off or slide upwardly in the casing 5. To prevent this a plate or block I, of suitable material, preferably light, such as wood or corrugated board, is inserted, and this, coming against the bottom of the inner receptacle, prevents the backing off of the bottom plate 6 during the operation of curling it to the lower edge of the casing 5. This plate 1 may remain in the completed article. j

The cap, formed of sheet metal-and circular in plan, may have the top wall 8 with the depending marginal skirt 9. This skirt, at its lower edge, is bent inwardly and upwardly to form an inner wall'lfl spaced from the skirt 9, and having an upwardly turned flange H at its upper edge which serves to stiffen and support the inner wall.

In the inner wall II] is formed a screw-thread adapted to cooperate with the-" screw-threads in the reflexed portion 3' of the' container. Between the upper end of the inner recetpacle I and the top wall 8 of the closure is a liner I2, of suitable resilient material as is well known, which liner is compressed between the upper end of the inner receptacle of the container and the top wall of the cap or closure when the latter is screwed home upon the container so as to form a tight seal about the top of the container. The upper edge of the container is formed with a narrow ridge I3 upon which the liner rests and facilitates the making of a tight seal about the top of the receptacle by the liner. The external diameter of the cap skirt 9 is preferably approximately the same as the diameter of the outer casing 5 so that the side walls of the structure, including the cap and container, will be substantially in a straight line. The cap can be screwed on and off of the container in a manner as is wellunderstood.

In Figs, 7 to 11 inclusive is shown the various stages of a method for forming the portion of the container comprising the parts I, 2 and 3. Starting with the relatively shallow, wide and rimmed cupped member I4, such-circular sheet metal article is drawn into the structure of Fig. 8 wherein it will be seen that the structure has been lengthened and reduced in diameter, and provided with a shoulder l5 separating the two cylindrical portions [6 and ll of different diameters, the portion I! having the fiat flange l8. The article as shown in Fig. 8 is then subjected to an operation whereby it assumes the form as shown in Fig. 9, the rounded shoulder 5 being formed into the two abrupt shoulders I 9 and 20.- Also the bottom 2| and the lower portion 22 of the wall l6 are forced inwardly within the upper portion of the wall l6 so that the bottom 2| is substantially in alignment with the shoulder 20. This leaves the space within the cylindrical portion ll empty so that a threading tool maybe inserted therein.

A thread 23 is then formed in the cylindrical part [1 so that the article is in the form as shown in Fig. 10. The shoulder 19 provides su fficient space for the forming of the threads, and the shoulder 20 forms a rest for a support to hold the portion IT with its thread 23 in position when the bottom 2| and part 22 are forced further inwardly into the form as shown in Fig. 11. Also in this last operation the flange It has its edge turned at substantially right angles as shown in Fig. 11.

The outer circular, cylindrical casing wall 5 is at first formed with straight sides and may be circumferentially continuous or be formed of a fiat piece of sheet metal bent into a circular form and secured together by a longitudinal seam.

The part as shown in Fig. 11 is then placed within the cylinder 5 and the upper edges of the cylinder bent about the edges of the part 3 as described. The bottom 6 having a straight marginal flange or skirt at substantially right angles to the plane of the bottom and which substantially fits within the cylinder 5 is telescoped within the cylinder, there being placed within the cylinder head of the bottom the supporting piece I which bears against the bottom 2 of the inner receptacle, the bottom 6 being then brought against the piece I. The edges of the bottom 6 are then intercurled with the lower marginal edge of the cylinder 5 into fixed and secure relation. The support 1 serving to prevent the bottom 6 from backing off during the curling operation and also this support I may operate to support theinner receptacle in addition to the support afforded. by the curling of the upper edgeof" the cylinder 5about the flange of the part 4. I

Referring to Fig. 2 there is therein shown the interior sheet metal member 24 having the integral bottom 25 and having integrally joined to it at its top the refiexed portion 26 bent backwardly along the receptacle 24 and spaced therefrom. Screw threads may be provided in the member 26 for engagement by the screw-threads of a closure or cap. The marginal edge of the member 26 extends outwardly and is intercurled with the upper marginal edge of the circular side Wall 21 of the outer casing, which side wall i's-"integral with the bottom 28 of the outer casing, such bottom having, if desired, an inwardly concave portion 29. e v

At the base of the threads upon the member 26 is formed a shoulder 30 against which the seam formed by the intercurling portions referred to is in more or less tightly close relationship.

It is contemplated that all of the containers referred to in this application will be sprayed or covered with an enamel or paint, and when this is applied to the structure ofzFig. 2 any crack or groove which might exist between the shoulder 30 and curled-over portions of the seam joining the reflexed portion 26 with the outer casing wall 21 will be completely filled or smoothed over by the lacquer, enamel or paint so that no appreciable break in the exposed surface will appear.

In the construction of Fig. 2, the-bottom of the outer casing being integral with the-"side wall thereof, there is no problem of securing the bottom in place nor any necessity fo'r'any support between thebottom of the interior receptacle and the bottom of the outer casing.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 3A, the inner receptacle of sheet metal and of circular crosssection comprising the cylindrical wall 3| integrally formed with the bottom 32 is integrally connected at its upper edge with the reflexed portion 33 carrying threads adapted to cooperate vw'th threads upon a closure. The marginal edge of the portion 33 is bent outwardly and is provided at its free edge with a curled wire edge or bead 34. The outer casing which is spaced from the inner receptacle is of sheet metal and comprises the cylindrical side wall 35 integrally joined with the bottom 36 which is spaced from the bottom 32 of the inner receptacle, and at its upper end is provided with a circumferential groove 31 above which is the straight cylindrical portion 38. The inner receptacle and refiexed member 33 may be telescoped Within the cylindrical portion 38 and snapped into the groove 31 as shown in Figr-"3. The cylindrical portion 38 may then be curled inwardly about the bead 34 so as to tightly grip the same and securely fasten the member 33 and the wall 35 together. In this construction the engagement of the head 34 in the groove 31 holds the bead against backing off while the portion 38 is being curled about the bead into securing position.

Referring to Figs. 4 and 4A, the structure is similar to that shown in Figs. 3 and 3A. In the structure of Figs. 4 and 4A, however, the bead 39 on the refiexed member secured to the inner receptacle has formed between it and the screwthreads the shoulder 40, and the cylindrical portion 4I, which is above the circumferential groove 42 in the side wall of the upper casing, is somewhat longer than in the structure of Figs. 3 and 3A, and the securing of the parts together is accomplished by the bending of the cylindrical portion 4| into a horizontal position as shown at 43 in Fig. 4A where it lies against the shoulder 45 and so reduces any clearances forming cracks or grooves between adjacent parts, the edge of the part 43 being entirely glossed or smoothed over by the application of the enamel, lacquer or paint as already referred to.

Referring to Fig. 5, the construction is similar to that of Figs. 4 and 4A except that the cylindrical straight part 4I is made shorter, somewhat the same as the part 38 of Figs. 3 and 3A and is curled downwardly into the curled edge of the refiexed member secured to the inner receptacle. This forms a structure with very small interstices or cracks between members, such as are formed being fully filled up and smoothed over by the applied lacquer, paint or enamel as referred to.

Referring to Fig. 6, the construction comprises the circular, cylindrical sheet metal inner receptacle having the side wall 44 with which is integrally formed the bottom 45. Integrally connected to the upper edge of the wall 44 is the reflexed portion 46 having threads for engagement with a closure and having an outwardly turned portion 41 intercurled with the upper edge of the circular, cylindrical side wall 48 of sheet metal spaced from the wall 44 and forming, with the circular sheet metal bottom 49, the outer casing of the container. The wall 48 may be formed of a fiat sheet of metal bent into a circle and have its edges secured together as at 50, or it may be circumferentially continuous.

The edges of the bottom 49 are intercurled with the lower marginal edges of the wall 48 and is provided with a concaved portion which bears against the bottom 45 of the inner receptacle. Inasmuch as the bottom of the outer casing bears against the inner receptacle it will be held thereby from backing off during the curling operation which secures it to the wall 48.

Referring to Fig. 12, the container is formed of sheet metal and comprises the inner receptacle having the cylindrical side wall 52 integral with the bottom 53. Integrally secured to the top of the side wall 52 is the reflexed portion spaced from the wall 52 and comprising the portion 54 threaded for engagement with a threaded closure cap, a circumferential rib 55 at the base of the threaded portion and an inwardly offset cylindrical portion 55. The outer casing comprising the cylindrical side wall 57 integral with the bottom 58 and at the upper edge of the wall 51 has the inturned elongated bead 55. The cylindrical portion 56 fits with a tight frictional fit within the inner side of the circumferential bead 59 so that the inner receptacle and outer casing may be assembled by pushing the cylindrical portion 55 within the bead 59 until the rib 55 rests upon the top of the bead 59, and may be disassembled by pulling the cylindrical part 55 out of the head.

It will be noted that the outermost portion of the rib 55 is substantially in line with the outer circumference of the wall 51, and when the closure cap is in position upon the container its outermost circumference will also be in substantial alignment with the wall 51. This produces the efiect of a container with substantially straight vertical walls but with the rib 55 exposed to observation from the exterior when it may be made of a color contrasting with adjacent portions for purposes of decoration, as an indication of the contents or for other reasons.

Fig. 13 shows a container the same as Fig. 12 except that instead of the reflexed portion comprising the threaded part 65, the rib GI and the inwardly ofif-set cylindrical portion 52 being integrally connected with the side wall 53 of the inner receptacle, such side wall is made separate from and secured to the refiexed portion by the inter-curled edges at 64 of the side wall 63 and refiexed portion.

Referring to Fig. 14 the sheet metal structure therein shown comprises an inner receptacle hav ing the cylindrical side wall IIII integrally joined to the bottom I52 at its bottom and at its top integrally joined with a reflexed portion comprising the part I33 having screw threads for cooperation with corresponding screw threads upon a closure cap, the outwardly projecting rib I64 at the base of the threaded part I03 and a cylindrical inwardly offset part I55 projecting downwardly from the rib I54. The outer casing comprises a cylindrical side wall I35, the lower edge of which is integrally joined with the bot tom I51 which has an indented or concaved central portion upon which the bottom I32 of the inner receptacle rests. Near the upper edge of the outer wall IE6 is an inwardly projecting rib I58 which closely fits about the cylindrical part I05. Above this rib the upper edge of the outer casing is curled tightly about the rib I03 at I09 securely assembling together the inner receptacle, the refiexed portion and the outer casing. It will be apparent that this structure may be readily and inexpensively made.

The outer casing is first made with the part I09 cylindrical and substantially in line with the wall I05. The inner receptacle with the reflexed portion are then entered within the outer casing, the part I55 closely fitting the rib I08, the inward movement being limited by the rib I04 coming against the rib IIIB. The parts being firmly held in this position, the part I09 is curled tightly about the rib IE3 when a strong and secure structure is formed. It will beobserved that although the bottom IdZ comes against the bottom I91 they might be spaced apart, the inner receptacle then being supported by the rib I09 resting upon the rib I08.

It will be observed that the portion N39 curled about the rib I04 is substantially in line with the side wall I 06 and that it extends to some extent outside the line of the screw threads so that when the closure cap is applied the side wall of the cap may be substantially in line with the side wall IllB.

Referring to Fig. 15 there is therein shown a relationship of the inner receptacle H and its reflected portion including the screw-threaded part III except that instead of having a rib I04 and a cylindrical portion I65 below it .as in Fig. 14, the construction in Fig. 15 has the reflexed portion terminating in a bead II2 at its edge, which bead rests upon the inwardly projecting rib II3 in the side wall II4 of the outer casing and the parts are secured in assembled relation by curling the portion I I5 above the rib I I 3, about the bead or wire'edge I I2.

It will be understood that while screw threads have been shown as the means for securing the closure cap upon the container, it is often that a closure is secured upon a container by simply telescoping its side walls upon a closely fitting neck on the container, the closure cap being held from removal by friction of the parts. The cap engaging neck of the container may be either cylindrical or it may be tapered when the further the lid is pushed on to the container the tighter it will be wedged thereon as is well known.

While the invention has been illustrated in what are considered its best applications it may have other embodiments without departing from its spirit and is not therefore limited to the structures shown in the drawing.

What I claim is:

1. A container comprising in combination a receptacle comprising a vessel surrounded by a Wall set off from and secured to said vessel, said wall having a closure-engaging portion and a lateral projection below said closure-engaging portion and an outer casing surrounding and spaced from said vessel, said casing having its upper marginal portion curled about said projection, said casing having a circumferential groove adjacent and below its said curled upper marginal portion, said groove forming a shoulder on which said lateral projection rests.

2. A container comprising in combination a receptacle comprising a vessel surrounded by a wall set off from and secured to said vessel, said wall having a closure-engaging portion and .a lat- .eral projection below said closure-engaging portion and an outer casing surrounding and spaced from said vessel, said casing having its upper marginal portion curled about said projection, said vessel and casing having bottoms spaced from each other, said casing having a circumferential groove adjacent and below its said curled upper marginal portion, said groove forming a shoulder on which said lateral projection rests.

3. A container comprising in combination a receptacle comprising a vessel surrounded by a wall set ofi from and secured to said vessel, .said wall having a closure-engagingportion and a lateral projection below said closure-engaging portion and an outer casing surrounding and spaced from said vessel, said casing having its upper marginal portion curled about said projection, said casing having a bottom and side wall integral with each other, said casing having a circumferential groove adjacent and below its said curled upper marginal portion, said groove forming a shoulder on which said lateral projection rests.

4. A container comprising in combination a receptacle comprising a vessel surrounded by a wall set off from and secured to said vessel, said wall having a closure-engaging portion and a lateral projection below said closure-engaging portion and an outer casing surrounding and spaced from said vessel, said casing having an inwardly extending circumferential projection and said lateral projection upon said wall resting upon the outer side of said inwardly extending projection on said casing.

5. .A container comprising in combination a receptacle comprising a vessel surrounded by a wall set off from and integral with said vessel, said wall having a closureeengaging portion and a lateral projection below said closure-engaging portion and an outer casing surrounding and spaced from said vessel, said casing having an inwardly extending circumferential projection and said lateral projection upon said wall resting upon the outer side of said inwardly extending projection on said casing.

6. A container comprising in combination a receptacle comprising a vessel surrounded by a wall set off from and secured to said vessel, said wall having a, closure-engaging portion and a lateral projection below said closure-engaging portion and an outer casing surrounding and spaced from said vessel, said casing having an inwardly extending circumferential projection and said lateral projection upon said wall resting upon the outer side of said inwardly extending projection on said casing, the said lateral projection on said wall being a bead formed by curling the marginal portion of said wall outwardly.

AUGUSTUS L. NEROLLE. 

